Fence post



Patented June 15, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to fence posts, the principal object being toprovide a post of that type through the use of which the fence may belowered to the ground when occasion requires,

such as in the event of flood waters when damage to the fence may resultfrom driftwood, ice, etc.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consistsprimarily of a post formed of upper and lower sections pivotallyconnected together so that the former section, to which the fencing isattached, may be swung downwardly to rest on the ground, while thelatter section remains upright, with its lower end embedded in theground.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a post embodying the features of thisinvention, a portion of the lower section being broken away,

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the post with the upper section inlowered position in dotted lines, and

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the post.

Referring to the drawing, I I! designates the upper section of the postand I I the lower section thereof, both sections being preferably formedof metal. The lower section is provided with vertical parallel flangesI2 at its side edges and a horizontal flange I3 at its upper end,positioned between the vertical flanges and provided with a 0 centralperforation I 4. The flange I3 may be con- 7 nected tothe flanges I2 bywelding, or otherwise,

if desired.

The upper section II) of the post is in the form of an inverted U and isprovided with a marginal flange I5 which extends at right anglesthereto, to impart rigidity. The legs I6 of the upper section E6straddle the lower section I3 and their lower ends are pivotallyconnected to said lower section by means of a suitable pin I'I passingthrough the flanges I2.

Connecting the legs I6 of the upper section III is a pin IB, at a pointto clear the upper end of the lower section I I, and this pin passesthrough the legs I9 and 20 of a latch, also in the form of an invertedU, said latch being adapted to pivot on said pin, the leg 20 beingelongated to extend below the pin to a sufiicient degree to aid inmaintaining the latch in a locking position as will be described laterherein.

Suitably secured to the inner face of one of the legs I6 of the uppersection I0, above the pin I8, is a plate 2| having an inturned flange 22at its upper edge. To each end of this flange is connected an end of anextensible spring 23, the 55 other ends of which are connected to thetop of the latch, whereby to maintain said latch in alinement with thelegs I6. The edges of the leg I9 of this latch converge to form a point24 which rests within the opening I4 at the top of the lower section,when the upper section is in raised position, thus serving to maintainthe sections in vertical alinement.

The unflanged edge of the upper section IIl may be provided with notches25 or other suitable means for attaching a fence thereto or, if desired,the same may be suitably attached to the flange I5 of the upper section.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Assuming that the post is in erect position, as shown in Figure 1, andit is desired to manipulate the same to lower the fence, the uppersection Ill is grasped and swung to one side which will cause a rockingmovement of the latch, permitted by the spring 23, thus releasing thepoint 24 of the latch from the opening It. The upper section, togetherwith the fencing attached thereto, may then be lowered to the ground.When it is desired to raise the fence into position for use, the uppersection is moved in the opposite direction, during which movement theleg I9 of the latch will engage the upper end of the lower section andcause the latch to swing on its pivot so as to permit the two sectionsto be brought into alinement. The point 24 will then again seat itselfin the perforation I4 where it will be held by the springs 23, assistedby the downwardly extending position of the leg 20.

It will be understood that either or both sections of the post may beconstructed of material other than that mentioned herein and may bedifferently formed, and that other details may be modified withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A post including a lower section, an upper section pivoted to thelower section, a latch pivoted to the upper section and adapted toengage the upper end of the lower section for holding the sections inalinement, an extensible spring connected to the latch and to the uppersection above the pivotal point of the latch, and a weight on the latchbelow its pivotal point, whereby the weight and spring will cooperate tohold the latch in engagement with the lower section.

2. A fence post including a lower section, an upper section pivoted tothe lower section, a latch pivoted to the upper section, said latchhaving a portion adapted to engage the upper end of the lower sectionand having a portion normally 4. A fence post including a lower section,a

U-shaped upper section having its legs straddling and pivoted to thelower section, a latch pivotally mounted between the legs of the uppersection, said latch having a portion normally in engagement with theupper end of the lower section and a portion normally positioned betweensaid post sections and in alinement therewith, and means connecting saidlatch and said upper section for holding said latch portions in saidnormal positions. I

OLE T. LARSON. INMJLN L. LARSON.

